Pin It
basketballcourt_120The Varsity boys basketball team currently has a 1/2 game lead in the IAC Large school north division. Lansing is 3-1 in the division and 9-2 overall. Whitney Point is 2-1 and 7-2 overall while Dryden is 2-2 and 6-4. To summarize some of the recent hardwood happenings the boys hosted the Fred Caliel Christmas tournament. Lansing defeated Newark Valley in their first round game. During the second quarter Lansing displayed a front court lineup that many coaches would be excited over with Ben Rourke, Thomas Towner, and Jack Stevens providing nearly 20 feet of height and at least that in wingspan. Troy Osterman capped the 68-40 victory with a nice reverse layup.

Due to weather, the Fred Caliel tournament championship game was postponed a couple days versus Moravia. Both teams entered the game undefeated. On this day, Moravia proved to have the hot hand and left Lansing with a convincing 68-51 win. Moravia boasts a formidable inside/outside presence in Chandler Benson and Dylan Powers. Powers' three quick three pointers to open the second half stymied any Lansing rally opportunities to cut their 4 point halftime deficit. Ellington Hopkins and Thomas Towner scored to begin the fourth and bring the Cats within six but could not get any closer. Hopkins and Ben Rourke were all-tournament selections and the MVP went to Moravia's Benson.

The Whitney Point Eagles came to town for an infrequent Saturday afternoon matinee and scored a 49-39 win. Despite Jack Stevens and Tyler Winslow providing some second half spark, the Cats could not overcome a  lackluster 16 point first half. The free throw discrepancies loomed large with Whitney Point converting on 17 of their 25 attempts compared to Lansing’s 6x17. This should heighten the interest for this same matchup to end the regular season at Whitney Point on Feb. 8th.

The  second half of the season schedule began with a much needed 52-49 win at Marathon. Ellington Hopkins hit successive three pointers and Thomas Towner led Lansing scorers with 12 points. Lansing's total of only 16 points for second half afforded Marathon’s Cody Barry to attempt a potential game tying three pointer as the buzzer sounded.  Also in Marathon, the JV Boys basketball team held on for a 45-43 win. Logan Osterman and Josh Miller-Labar hit key free throws to secure the victory. Osterman and Zack Detrick led the scoring for Lansing with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Most recently, the hometown gym was at near capacity against the Purple Lions of Dryden with a share of first place at stake. It was Ellington Hopkins who set the tone with some quick buckets from the outset and a three ball to end the first giving Lansing a 22-13 lead.  Dryden’s 6’5” Gage Ellis had two early fouls and sat out much of the second quarter. Sam Currie provided an offensive punch with a season high 9 points. Nate McIntosh chipped in with eleven and three more from beyond the arc. With the bleachers booming from home and visitor sections alike, and 1160ESPN radio on site, the fourth quarter began with the Cats holding an eleven point cushion.  As to be expected in this rivalry, a comeback would be in order. Dryden steadily went on a 9-0 run in the last four minutes led by Shawn Moore and freshman Ali Abel-Ferretti. Not to be outdone, Hopkins  provided a key steal with seconds remaining and Greg Lehr sealed the win with two free throws in a 62-59 victory. Lansing's next contest is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23 at Southern Cayuga.

Center/Forward Nick "Slayer" Peters earned the esteemed Glenwood Pines T-shirt for obliterating their Pinesburger Challenge during a recent team outing.

v9i2
Pin It